| Video: Hong Kong hammered by violent typhoon Vincente Posted: 24 Jul 2012 05:35 AM PDT | The strongest storm in 10 years has hit Hong Kong, with dozens in hospitals and hundreds seeking refuge in shelters - READ MORE: on.rt.com RT LIVE rt.com Subscribe to RT! www.youtube.com Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com Follow us on Twitter twitter.com Follow us on Google+ plus.google.com RT (Russia Today) is a global news network broadcasting from Moscow and Washington studios. RT is the first news channel to break the 500 million YouTube views benchmark. | Views: 7850 94 ratings | | Time: 01:35 | More in News & Politics |
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| Kate Middleton: Her style, and the Photoshopped Marie Claire Cover Posted: 25 Jul 2012 01:49 AM PDT | For more news and videos visit ➡ english.ntdtv.com Follow us on Twitter ➡ http Add us on Facebook ➡ on.fb.me Kate Middleton on the cover of South Africa's Marie Clair. Or is she? It's no surprise Kate would be a highly sought after cover star. Kate has never officially consented to appear on a magazine cover. But that didn't stop South Africa's Marie Claire from photoshopping the royal into a designer dress for their August cover. In the photo Kate's head is photoshopped onto a models body. The model is wearing a dress by a famous South African designer. The editor of Marie Clair told the UK's The Telegraph it was a "hyper-real" "fan art tribute" to Kate, as a "modern-day princess" and "fashions new royal icon". They said they were inspired by her fairytale wedding. On that special day in royal history, when Kate Middleton became Catherine Duchess of Cambridge; in that stunning Alexander McQueen dress - which incidentally, later sold for 10 million pounds - it's easy to see why the world fell in love with Kate, and her style. She is a picture of poise, even in those rather difficult moments, like getting down stairs in three inch stilettos. Or planting a tree while wearing a glamorous dress. The Duchess is known for wearing high fashion, and affordable labels; like Stella McCartney, and Zara. What Kate wears today hundreds of thousands will wear tomorrow. Kate Middleton is an international style icon, there's no doubt. And in my own opinion, she's a wonderful role <b>...</b> | Views: 0 0 ratings | | Time: 02:04 | More in Entertainment |
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| China News Broadcast, July 24, 2012: Wave of Criticisms Hit Beijing After Flooding Posted: 24 Jul 2012 09:57 PM PDT | In Today's NTD China News, Hu Jintao warns that the Communist Party is facing unprecedented challenges, Beijing authorities are under fire after weekend floods, and China and US hold Human Rights Dialogue in Washington DC. In today's NTD China News, Chinese leader Hu Jintao warns Communist Party leaders they are facing unprecedented challenges. Beijing authorities are facing a wave of criticisms after Saturday's torrential rains. The city's underground water system failed to handle the downpour, while much older constructions escaped flooding. Heaving rains elsewhere in China has also caused flooding at the Three Gorges Dam. Water levels have put tens of thousands of people on flood alert, and brought shipping to a halt. In Hong Kong, commuters faced huge delays on Tuesday getting back to work after a severe typhoon raged overnight and into the morning. Typhoon Vincente, which shut businesses and the Hong Kong stock exchange, also pounded the coastal regions of southern China's Guangdong Province. Ten attorneys from mainland China have written a letter calling for a new investigation into the death of Chinese dissident Li Wangyang. The United States and China hold its annual human rights dialogue in Washington, DC. These closed-door talks have previously been criticized for having limited effect though, with rights advocates calling for a more public discussion. China has formally established a city called Sansha on a small remote island in the South China Sea to assert <b>...</b> | Views: 152 4 ratings | | Time: 13:19 | More in News & Politics |
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| Forced Organ Harvesting in China Posted: 24 Jul 2012 09:51 PM PDT | Most of us are familiar with organ donation - it's when a person voluntarily gives up an organ for use in transplant procedures. But in China, forced organ extraction has become a cause for grave concern for the international medical community, particular after allegations that the Chinese government is systematically killing prisoners of conscience specifically to take their organs A new book on forced organ harvesting in China has recently be published, and in this China Focus we speak to one of the contributors to the book, and to the spokesman for Doctors Against Forced Organ Harvesting about what's behind this illegal practice, and what can be done to stop it from happening. | Views: 32 2 ratings | | Time: 11:57 | More in News & Politics |
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| Man U Prepares for Shanghai Shenhua Friendly Posted: 24 Jul 2012 07:53 PM PDT | Manchester United fans welcomed the Red Devils as they arrived at Shanghai City Stadium, continuing their preseason world tour. New United signings Shinji Kagawa and Nick Powell were on hand as hundreds watched the training session. Sir Alex Ferguson's men will take on the Shanghai Shenhua tomorrow in a highly anticipated friendly. However, Shanghai's Didier Drogba was absent from Tuesday's public practice and may miss the game with a back injury. The Ivory Coast striker signed a two-and-a-half year contract in June. He made his debut against the Guangzhou R&F last Sunday, setting up his side's equalizer in a tie. He was expected to be reunited on the field with former Chelsea teammate Nicolas Anelka, who left the English Premier League last year. The sight of Man U in Shanghai may bring back pleasant memories for fans; the last time the Reds played the Shanghai Shenhua, they won 2-0, en route to a Treble-winning 1999 season. United is looking to bounce back this season. They came in second to rival Manchester City in the Premier League on goal differential. Shanghai is currently 13th in the Chinese Super League, but is hoping to move up the rankings with former Argentina head coach Sergio Batista as their manager and the infusion of Premier League talent. Their next game is against the Guangzhou Yiyao on the 28th, while United will play a friendly against Valerenga in Norway, on August 5. Their season kicks off on August 20, against Everton. For more news and videos <b>...</b> | Views: 2235 12 ratings | | Time: 01:23 | More in News & Politics |
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| China Establishes Sansha City in Disputed South China Sea Posted: 24 Jul 2012 07:47 PM PDT | In the Chinese regime's latest move to assert its sovereignty in the South China Sea, it held a ceremony to mark the formal establishment of Sansha city in Yongxing Island on Tuesday. Yongxing Island—known in English as Woody Island—has a population of about 1000 residents. The small, remote island is part of the Paracel Island chain, which is also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan. The Chinese regime took full control of the islands in 1974 after a naval showdown with Vietnam. The city's first mayor, Xiao Jie, was appointed on Monday in the first session of the city's People's Congress. On Sunday, the Chinese regime's Central Military Commission approved the establishment of a military garrison in Sansha. State-run Xinhua news agency reported that the garrison would be responsible for "national defense mobilization...guarding the city and supporting local emergency rescue and disaster relief" and "carrying out military missions." The Philippines expressed its strong opposition to Beijing's decision to set up a military garrison in Sansha. The Vietnam Foreign Ministry also protested that the establishment of Sansha City was done in violation of international law. For more news and videos visit ☛ english.ntdtv.com Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 46 3 ratings | | Time: 01:10 | More in News & Politics |
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| US-China Human Rights Dialogue Held in Washington, DC Posted: 24 Jul 2012 07:40 PM PDT | The two-day annual human rights dialogue between US and China began on Monday in Washington DC. The US is expected to bring up issues including the rule of law, Tibet and blind rights lawyer Chen Guangcheng. Chen recently escaped to China, but fears his family back home is at risk of abuse by authorities. Outside the meeting, adherents of the persecuted Falun Gong spiritual practice are urging the US to bring up their case with Chinese authorities. Since 1999, the Communist regime has brutally suppressed practitioners of the practice. At least 3500 deaths have resulted from torture and abuse. [Ms Wu, Falun Gong Practitioner] (female, Chinese) "The issue of Falun Gong is the central issue for China today. If the US-China Human Rights Dialogue circumvents the Falun Gong issue, it would have no real meaning." The closed door talks between the US and China have drawn criticisms in the past for failing to put real pressure on Beijing. Sophie Richardson from Human Rights Watch said in a statement that, without a public discussion of the talks afterwards, the Chinese government would, (quote) "say it is engaging on rights issues while putting off necessary reforms that create a country with the rule of law and respect for basic rights." In the past year, US officials, including former ambassador to China Gary Locke, have publicly stated China's human rights is worsening. For more news and videos visit ☛ english.ntdtv.com Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 5 0 ratings | | Time: 01:32 | More in News & Politics |
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| Chinese Attorneys Want New Probe into Li Wangyan's Death Posted: 24 Jul 2012 07:35 PM PDT | Ten attorneys from mainland China have written a letter calling for a new investigation into the death of Chinese dissident Li Wangyang. In the letter to the standing committee of the National People's Congress, the attorneys allege that police in Hunan Province unlawfully concluded that Li had hanged himself. The official report was released on July 12 after Li's supporters angrily questioned original claims that he had committed suicide. The investigation report maintained Li ended his life by hanging himself with a bed sheet in his hospital room. The Tiananmen dissident was nearly blind, deaf and immobile after spending more than 21 years in prison. His body was cremated against the family's will. Just days before his death, Li had appeared on Hong Kong television condemning the Chinese regime's bloody crackdown of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests. For more news and videos visit ☛ english.ntdtv.com Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 1 0 ratings | | Time: 00:54 | More in News & Politics |
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| HK and Guangdong Recovering from Typhoon Vincente Posted: 24 Jul 2012 07:31 PM PDT | It is the strongest typhoon since 1999 to hit Hong Kong. Typhoon Vincente packed with gale-force winds in excess of 87mph battered the territory overnight. For several hours, the typhoon was rated No. 10, the highest tropical cyclone warning. It grounded flights and shut port operations. Businesses reopened late Tuesday morning after the city lowered its tropical cyclone warning from No. 8 to No. 3. Bus and train routes had been suspended overnight. The disruption continued into the morning with fallen trees blocking or damaging roads and rail tracks. Some commuters were forced to spend the night on a subway train. [Unidentified Man]: "I have been disrupted twice. First I was forced to sleep on the train all night when the train stopped during the night. And now I have been disrupted again on my way home. I am very angry!" But some people wanted to experience the strongest typhoon to hit Hong Kong since 1999. [Unidentified Woman]: "There are some things if you don't see them now, you won't get to see them again," After passing Hong Kong overnight, Vincente swept across the coastal regions of China's Guangdong province. The deluge hit the city of Shenzhen, forcing a hundred flights to be cancelled. Heavy rains in Tiashan city caused a factory to collapse. For more news and videos visit ☛ english.ntdtv.com Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 18 2 ratings | | Time: 01:30 | More in News & Politics |
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| China's Three Gorges Dam Braces for Flood Peak Posted: 24 Jul 2012 07:26 PM PDT | China's Three Gorges Dam is expecting this year's highest flood levels today (Tuesday), according to regional flood control authorities. The dam, known as the world's largest hydropower project, is set to experience a record water flow of two and a half million cubic feet per second from the Upper Yangtze River. It has started releasing one million cubic feet per second today to reduce the impact of the flood downstream from the dam. 36000 people are on flood alert in China's Hubei and Hunan provinces. China's State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters launched a level-II emergency response on Monday. This is the second-most severe warning against potential flood dangers. All sections of the upper reaches of the Yangtze River have swollen, with water levels far above the warning lines, according to the state flood control authorities. Shipping on the Yangtze was halted on Monday. More than 700 vessels are waiting for the reopening of the dam's navigation lock. During the recent heavy rains, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, 280 miles upstream of the Yangtze River, experienced its largest flood crest in 31 years. For more news and videos visit ☛ english.ntdtv.com Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 0 0 ratings | | Time: 01:01 | More in News & Politics |
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| Beijing Authorities Heavily Criticized after Flooding Posted: 24 Jul 2012 07:21 PM PDT | Beijing's massive deluge over the weekend left more than just a flood. People have inundated authorities with criticism over the city's infrastructure that buckled under the downpour. Beijing's Drainage Group admitted that underpasses built in the 1980s are inadequate for withstanding heavier downpours, state-run China Daily reported. Chinese engineer, Guo Hongyu says many infrastructure projects in China are substandard. She says construction projects are prone to corrupt dealings, with only a small portion of the total cost actually going towards materials and labor. [Guo Hongyu, Chinese Engineer]: "This means they need to be creative with the materials. Also, construction supervision in China is not regulated well. The quality control on the surface is regulated, but hidden interest means that quality can often be sacrificed." As Beijing's streets turned into rivers Saturday night, some netizens posted pictures of much older buildings that held up after the floods. This prompted many to criticize the lavish development of Beijing as "face projects." [Hua Po, Beijing Resident]: "Beijing is all glitz and glamour, but it's what officials use to climb up the ranks. They focus on what people can see, but underground [infrastructure] is not be seen." Others say Beijing's city planning under the Communist Party lags behind that of ancient dynasties. [Zhu Jianguo, Shenzhen-based Author]: "The [Chinese regime] values people less now than they did during the Ming dynasty <b>...</b> | Views: 47 3 ratings | | Time: 01:42 | More in News & Politics |
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| Hu Jintao: Communist Party Facing "Unprecedented Challenges" Posted: 24 Jul 2012 07:14 PM PDT | Chinese regime leader Hu Jintao has warned of "unprecedented challenges" facing the ruling Communist Party in a speech to senior officials on Monday. Hu urged for unity within the Party, as it braces for a leadership change later this year. Rifts within the Party became apparent earlier this year with the scandal of the former Chongqing Party chief, Bo Xilai. Bo was once regarded as a rising political star, however, after his police chief, Wang Lijun, fled to a US Consulate, allegations of corruption, the use of torture, and abuse of power against Bo soon surfaced. The speech by Hu on Monday, however, did not mention Bo. Instead, it focused on economic reform. The country's growth has slowed considerably this year, fuelling fears it could lead to greater public discontent against the ruling regime. Hu is scheduled to step down as the Communist Party leader later this year. Competing factions within the Party are jostling, behind the scenes, over who to include in the new leadership -- a practice common within the Party aimed at protecting the legacies of existing leaders. For more news and videos visit ☛ english.ntdtv.com Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 42 2 ratings | | Time: 01:11 | More in News & Politics |
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| Artists Hold Funeral-Like Election for 18th Congress Posted: 24 Jul 2012 09:11 PM PDT | Follow us on TWITTER: twitter.com Like us on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com A funeral-like art exhibition was held on July 21st at Songzhuang, a renowned artist community in Beijing. Over 200 people including petitioners and artists wearing mourning clothes, voted to elect academic members for the 18th Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Seven Dutch artists attended the art show in congratulation. Under surveillance of over a dozen plain-clothed police, 18 academic members were elected, including dissidents like Gao Zhisheng, Ai Weiwei and Huang Qideng. A Sino-Dutch Contemporary Art Exhibition was held at Song Zhuang, Bejing on July 21st. The attendees staged performance art and voted to elect Academic Committee members for the CCP's 18th Congress. Seven Dutch artists arrived to express congratulations. A total of over 200 attendees included "dissident art" lovers; petitioners from Beijing and other regions of China, many mysterious celebrities and over a dozen Domestic Security Plainclothes police. Visitors were given ballots for Academic Committee election. The attendees and artists collectively staged performance art to celebrate the show. Over a dozen of petitioners took part in the performance art and voting. Voters wore white mourning dress, with head tied in white cloth, as if conducting a funeral. While the election went through a formal process by filling in the ballot paper and putting into the ballot box. The 18 elected academic members include Gao <b>...</b> | Views: 46 0 ratings | | Time: 04:01 | More in News & Politics |
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| How Many Victims in Beijing's Rainstorm Disaster? Posted: 24 Jul 2012 09:07 PM PDT | Follow us on TWITTER: twitter.com Like us on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com It has been several days since the rainstorm in Beijing occurred, however the disaster has not yet ended. More victims are continuously being discovered. Information concerning the discovery of more corpses and missing people continue to surface on Microblog. It is still difficult to estimate how many people have died from the rainstorm. However, officials have not yet updated the number of deceased. On the night of July 24th, Sogou CEO Wang Xiaochuan posted information which said the number of victims is shocking. However, the original post was quickly deleted. Other netizens expressed that the number of victims is unimaginable. Authorities launch fundraising, receive resistance Instead of spending time to look for missing persons, Beijing official media have been busy praising the leaders, and asking citizens to donate money. However, the government initiated fundraising activity received strong resistance from netizens. Many express that they've already paid taxes, and are determined not to donate. Some are worried the donation will be taken as their own by corrupt officials, like previous disaster donations. Netizens say it's not that they are unsympathetic towards flood victims, but that before the government regains trust from the people, any donation to the government is a crime to society. French Ambassador visits architect French Architect, Patrick Devillers French Ambassador to China <b>...</b> | Views: 26 0 ratings | | Time: 02:42 | More in News & Politics |
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| Beijing's Rainstorm Reports Removed Posted: 24 Jul 2012 09:06 PM PDT | Follow us on TWITTER: twitter.com Like us on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com The heavy rainstorm rescue work has not finished in Beijing. Yet, the Chinese Communist Party' (CCP) authorities are anxious to start stability maintenance. They want to do that even before getting all the information on death toll and injuries, and implement rescue operations. They prohibit public requests for the number of casualties and government "accountability," and block netizens who voice different opinions. The CCP not reflecting on itself or learning from history will only bring more disaster to the people and accelerate its demise fate. CCP's official media Beijing Daily reported on July 23, the words of Beijing Party Secretary and Mayor Guo Jinlong. Guo emphasized, "to shift the focus on rescuing, finishing up and maintaining stability," and "fight the war of maintaining stability using all our resources." He also stressed on guiding the opinions and promoting touching stories to encourage people and "ensure a stable society for a successful 18th CCP Congress." In the afternoon of July 23, a number of petitioners in Beijing called China Tianwang Site for Human Rights (CTHRS). According to them, Beijing' police is focusing on stability, and is carrying out a large-scale arrest of petitioners. Writer Li Chengpeng wrote A Heavy Rainstorm in Beijing Exposed the Truth. Many people echoed it and spread it around. But the article was quickly removed. Human Rights Movement chairman Hu Jun said <b>...</b> | Views: 37 0 ratings | | Time: 03:34 | More in News & Politics |
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| 703 Fingerprints Call for Governor's Attention Posted: 24 Jul 2012 08:44 PM PDT | Follow us on TWITTER: twitter.com Like us on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com At the end of June, the US Governor of Iowa was invited to visit Dazhai Village, in Zhengding County, Hebei Province. The invitation came from the People's Republic of China Vice President Xi Jinping. The Chinese authorities again harassed local Falun Gong practitioners in the name of stability maintenance. Seven hundred and three Zhengding villagers fingerprinted a joint letter to the US Governor. The letter asked for his attention on the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) human rights abuses. On June 1, over 30 policemen from Zhengding, traveling in four police vehicles, broke into Falun Gong practitioner Li Lankui's home, and ransacked it. As they were kidnapping Li Lankui, fellow villagers were alerted and came to block the police. They condemned the illegal acts of the police, and finally the police fled away. On the morning of June 7, the police secretly abducted Li Lankui. His family requested information, and the police produced the detention form. On June 14, the police said to change the sentence of Li Lankui to one year and three months in a forced labor camp. His family members refused to sign. Li Lankui was sent to a brainwashing center in Shijiazhuang to be persecuted. In early July, 703 Zhengding County residents submitted a joint letter, requesting the visiting US governor to listen to the voice of the suppressed Chinese people. The letter asked the governor to pay attention to the Li <b>...</b> | Views: 23 0 ratings | | Time: 03:45 | More in News & Politics |
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| Hu Jintao Talks of Unprecedented Outside Risks Posted: 24 Jul 2012 08:40 PM PDT | Follow us on TWITTER: twitter.com Like us on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com On July 23, the Chinese Communist Party(CCP)'s 9 members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau all attended the opening ceremony of "The Seminar for Provincial or Ministry level cadres". Head of the CCP Hu Jintao gave an "important speech" at the ceremony, he mentioned political reform that he hardly said in the past. Meanwhile, Hu stresses that there are unprecedented risks from the outside world, with many significant problems having showed up within the Party building, especially among Party members and the cadre team. Here's the experts' analysis. China's media says, Hu Jintao's latest speech covered many fields like politics, economy, the people's livelihood, and the Party building. When talking about political reform, Hu Jintao said that the three elements—"Party leadership, the people being the masters, and the rule of law"—must be adhered to. Hu also said, reform and opening should be further promoted "more actively and firmly" and "new steps in institutional reforms and innovations" should be continuously taken. Dr. Ye Ke of the University of South California(US)'s Public Policy department says, Hu reiterated that the Party leadership is in political reform, which means adhering to the CCP's autocracy. Based on that, Hu Jintao's speech about political reform was very empty and limited. [Dr Ye Ke, Public Policy, South California University (US)]: "The reason Hu mentioned political <b>...</b> | Views: 22 0 ratings | | Time: 03:44 | More in News & Politics |
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| Rising Housing Prices Test Wen Jiabao's Promise Posted: 24 Jul 2012 08:36 PM PDT | Follow us on TWITTER: twitter.com Like us on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com Although the Chinese government has repeatedly said, "never let housing prices rebound," according to a report from the National Bureau of Statistics released on July 18, 25 out of 70 medium and large-sized cities in China, showed signs of price rebounding in the month of June. That is an increase of 19 more cities since May. However, this runs contrary to Wen Jiabao's statement in Sichuan, "The current economy has not formed a stable upward trend, the economic difficulties may continue for some time." Buyers do not seem to support this. According to Bloomberg News reports, after developers have launched new real estate to attract buyers, residential sales in Beijing surged early 50% in June. China's largest developer, "Vanke Group," had 13.3 billion yuan in contracted sales in June, an increase of 24 percent compared to May. In June, "Longhu Real Estate Inc", controlled by the richest woman in China, Wu Yajun, showed an increase of 36% in sales volume since May. Although the Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao has pledged repeatedly to continue to regulate the real estate market, home sales and prices have rebounded due to local governments' relaxation towards some of the purchase limits and the central bank cutting interest rates. Xie Tian, Professor of Aiken Business School, University of South Carolina stated that the Chinese authorities are afraid of China's collapsing housing prices, because this <b>...</b> | Views: 16 0 ratings | | Time: 03:45 | More in News & Politics |
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